Method fob maxiwo pbodttctioxt  tests in well drilling



March 1, 1927. Re. 15,563

G. A. MACREADY METHOD FOR MAKING PRODUCTION TESTS IN WELL DRILLING Original Filed July 25, 1922 Reissued Mar. 1, 1927.

PATENT OFFICE.

GEORGE A. MACREADY, OF BAKEBSFIELD, CALIFORNIA.

METHOD FOR MAKING PRODUCTION TESTS IN WELL DRILLING.

Original application dled July 25, 1922, Serial No. 577,433. Divided and application filed August 2, 1923, Serial No. 855,205. Original No. 1,522,197, dated January 6, 1925. Application for reissue led February 8, 1926. Serial No. 86,945.

duction tests of the lower portions of deepv wells so as to determine the proper point at which the well is to 'be sealed oi so as to cut oil' water from above lthe oil bearing strata.

It is an object of the present invention to rovide a method for shutting off water andY or maintaining a circulation in a deep well preparatory to and while making a production testy so as to insure the recovery of the apparatus utilized by keeping it from being frozen in the well or jammed. A further object is tov maintain a circulation in a well and apparatus and at the same time rotate a portion of the apparatus during the producv tion test. Another object is to provide for the washing of the well by introducingV clean water during the lowering of the testing apparatus utilized to a previously formed packer seat.

' An object is to provide for the removal of the washings fromvthe well during the lowering of the packer by passing the washings 3 between inner and outer pipes of the apparatus to prevent scouring of the wall of the well above the packer and effect rotation of the outer pipe while the washing circulation is maintained. It is, therefore, broadly,

an object of the invention to provide a washing c1rculation in which, the discharge water from the well passes up in through the ap 1aratus and not directly along the well wa p Another object is to provide a method for facilitating production tests and for aiding in determining the permanent sealing zone and for maintaining circulation, and to provide formaintaining, by rotation, a free circulating pipe whereby the packer may be recovered after performance of function.

Other objects and advantages will be made manifest in the following speciication of the preferred method comprising the present invention as effected by apparatus illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fi rel is a diagrammatic, vertical, longitu inal section of the apparatus in the step of being lowered to a temporary sealing position.

Fig. 2 isa longitudinal, vertical section of the apparatus in its effective sealing and circulation maintaining position.`

The present method may be practlced and effected by an apparatus illustrated in the accompanying drawings including a string of pipes and a packing section at the foot thereof an'd a swivel case at the head thereof, the pipes'of` which are capable of being bodily lowered, excepting at the swivel to mechanism, into the well casing 2, of sultable diameter, and at the'top of which 'is a stuifing box 3, Figure 1, surrounding an outer pipe 4 of such diameter as to form a suitab y sized cylindrical passageway withinthe caslng 2.

The swivel case 5 is provided with an open upper end and forms a suitable chamber 10 which is closed as by a retaining cap 11 mounted on the rim of a case 5. This latter is shown as provided with diametrically opposite trunnions 13 to be engaged by any suitable elevating and suspending means for such period of time as may be necessary in lowerin the apparatus into the well hole after w ich the case 5 vis lowered to a suitable support, as for instance a'set of supporting beams A14, Figure 2. This enables the throwing of the elevating mechanism of the string out of connection and facilitates the application of other appurtenances, Aas for instance to connect a small swivel of circulating pipes to the top of an inner pipe'15. This also provides for the step of hailing the well through the inner pipe 15 when the swivel case 5 is stationary on a permanent support.

form of mechanical construction providing for the rotation of the top pipe section 4 includes an annular shoulder 41/2 provided on'this top section.

Circulation into and from the swivel case chamber 10 is provided by any suitable connection as a lateral coupling 21 which may be connected to the circulation pumps or otherwise as may be necessary .so that water can be forced down in the outer pipe 4 or can iiow up through the outer pipe 4.

The hea'd pipe section 15 is of suiiiciently small diameter to provide an ample passagewa 25 within the pipe sect-ion 4.

.he inner string of pipe 15 includes a foot section of hollow spindle 33. The hollow spindle passes down and rotatably fits in the bearing sleeve 30. The packer body 37 has an effective packing exterior lower portion which is preferably tapered so as to form a ood seal upon a previously cut seat prepare therefor in the well hole.

From the above it will be seen that when the elevating and suspending bail device B, Fig.'1, is attached to the swivel case trunnion 13, the whole string of inner and outer pipes 15 and 4 are carried by the casing swivel and the outer pipe is adapted to be rotated by the usual rotary table R of a rotary drilling apparatus. `While the string of packer elements are being lowered into the well, rotation can be maintained by the rotary table R of the outer pipe 4, while the inner pipe and the packer attached to the packing spindle 33 thereof being connected by a swivel joint at the bottom of the string. in the bearing 30 does not rotate. During the lowering of the string, circulation is maintained by a iow of circulation fluid entering the top of the inner pipe 15, thence down to the bottom of the inner pipe where it dischargesfreely into the well and passes up to the surface thereby preventing the pipe from sticking. J ust before seating of the packer, circulation is maintained as by a flow of water entering the top of the inner ipe 15; and thence down to the bottom-of) the inner pipe where it discharges freel into the well and passes up outside of the lower inner pipe and around the kpacker 37 as is shown in Fig. l, and thence up until the water may nd access intothe outer pipe 4. This access and escape from the well hole is provided by a series of apertures 4 in the lowermost section of the pipe 4 just above the foot swivel and bearing member 33. The stuffing box 3 being closed,

prevents the water from going up outside of the pipe 4 thereby avoiding scouring the walls of the hole. The upwardly flowing water passes freely into the space between the inner pipe 15 and the outer pipe 4 and thus does not rise along the well wall and the scouring of the wall is prevented above the packer. The water entering the pipe 4 passes to the top thereof and escapes through the lateral connection 21 as `indicated in Fig. 1.

When the packing string has been lowered to the necessary posltion, the packing facing 'except through the innermost or central pipe 15. 'This is open continuously from top to bottom and provides for the bailing steps as may be taken in the production test. f

When the packer is seated, mud circulation may be maintainedrfromlhe pump system by forcing the fluid into port 21 of the swivel case at the head of the wellvwall when this is `seated on its permanent supports 14. The fluid is forced down through the space between the inside pipe 15 and the outside pipe 4 and discharges outwardly through the openings 4a and passes upwardly alongthe surface of the well and plasters the wall above the packer. This fluid circulation prevents the pipe sticking or freezing to the walls of the well. The upwardly fiowing circulating mud is discharged through the well casing at the head of the well.

It will be seen also that the weight of the 'columns of pipes upon the seated packer can be readily regulated b the amount of weight of the swivel hea and apparatus that is superimposed on the permanent supports 14 upon which the swivel case is low- As soon vof the bottom of the well and for such other l ered after the packer has become seated.A

The advantage of this is that considerable strain is removed from the packer and also from the string of pipe Ysections and their joints throughout the string. i

This method provides for the constant motion of the outer pipe string `4 while it is being lowered into the hole and after the packer has become firmly seated and provides also for the downward or upward circulation or flow of liquid in the space between the two pipes, and alsov between the outer .pipe and well wall, and all of this with the object of insuring the possibility of recovering the apparatus from the well.

Further embodiments, modifications land variations may be resorted to within the principle of the invention.

What is claimed is:

1. The method of making production tests in deep wells which comprises lowering a tube into the well, forming a seal between the tube and the well wall so as to prevent Huid above the seal from entering the tube `below the seal, withdrawing a. sample of fluid from below the seal through the tube, preventing the tube from becoming stuck in the well while taking the sample by moving a second tube inthe well above the seal |about the first tube, and withdrawing the tubes from the well after the sample has been taken. u

2. The method of making production vtests in deep wells which comprises lowering a tube into ,the well, forming a seal between the tube and the well wall so as to prevent fluid above the seal from entering the tube below the seal, withdrawing a sample of fluid from below the seal through the tube, preventingvthe tubing from becoming stuck in the well while taking the sample by rotating a second tube in the well above the seal about the first tube, and withdrawing the tubes from the well after the sample has been taken.

3. The method of making production tests in dee-p wells which comprises lowering a tube into the well, forming a seal between the tube and-the well wall so as to prevent fluid above the seal from entering the tube below the seal, withdrawing a sample of fluid from below the seal, through the tube, preventing the tube from becomin stuck in the well while taking the sample y moving a second tube in the well above the seal about thel first tube, causing fluid to flow through the second tube and about it, and withdrawing the tubes from the well after the sample has been t-aken.

4. The method of making production tests in deep wells which compnses lowering ya tube into the well, forming a seal between the tube and the well wall so as to prevent fluid above the seal from entering the tube below the seal, withdrawing a sample of fluid from below the seal through the tube, prev venting the tube from becomin stuck in the well while taking the sample y rotating a second tube in the well above the seal about the first tube, causing fluid to flow through the second tube and about it, and withdrawing the tubes from the. well after the sample has been taken.

5. The method of making production tests in deep wells which comprises lowerin a tube into the well, forming a seal between the tube and the well wall to prevent fluid in the well above the seal from entering the tube below the seal, withdrawing a sample of fluid from below the seal through the tube, and preventing the tube from becoming stuck in the well by defining a passage in the well above the seal leading down aboutithe tube to a. point near the seal and causing fluid to flow through said passage and about it.

6. The method of making production tests in wells which comprises enlarging the upper part" of the well to cause the well to have at least two different diameters, lowering a tube into the lower part of the well having the smaller diameter, forming a sea-l between the tube and the well wall which is below the upper part of the well, having the larger diameter, withdrawing a sample of fluid from below the seal through the tube, preventing the tube from becoming stuck in the well while obtaining the sample by moving a second tube in the upper part of the well above the seal having a diameter approximately equal to the diameter of the seal, thus preventing the Awalls of the well from caving in to a size smaller than the seal can be withdrawn through, and remov` mg the tubes and seal from the well afterv obtaining the sample.

7. The method of ymaking production tests 1nl deep wells which consists of lowering a tube into a well, forming a seal between` the tube and the well wall so that fluid above the -seal cannot enter the tube below the seal, withdrawing a sample of fluid from below the seal through the tube, providing a'cylindrical partition in the well about the tube above the seal intermediate the tube and well wall, and preventing the tube from becoming stuck in the well while obtaining the sample by forcing fluid downwardly between the partition and tube causing it to pass out of the partition above the seal and upwardly between the partition and the well wall.

8. The method of making production tests in deep wells which consists of lowering a tube into a well, forming a seal between the tube and the well wall so that fluid above the seal cannot enter the tube below the seal,

withdrawing a sample of -fluid from 'below' the seal through the tube, providing a cylindrical partition in the well about the tube above the seal intermediate the tube and well wall, and preventing the tube from becoming stuck in the well while obtaining the sample by simultaneously moving said partition and forcing fluid downwardly between the partition and tube and causing it to pass out of the partition above the seal and upwardly' between the partitionand well wall.

9. The method of making production tests in deep wells which consists of lowering a tube into a well, forming a seal between the tube and the well wall so 'that fluid above the seal cannot enter the tube below the seal, withdrawing a sample of fluid from below the seal through the tube, providing a cylindrical artition in the well about the tube above t e seal intermediate the tube and well wall, and preventing the tube from becoming stuck in the well while'obtaining the sample by simultaneously rotating said partition and forcing fluid downwardly between the partitions and tube and causing it to pass out of the partition above the seal and upwardly between the partition and well wall.

10. They method of making production tests in deep wells which comprises lowering' a tube into the well, forming a seal between the tube and the well wall so as llO iso

to prevent Huid above the seal from entering to the diameter of the seal,'and withdrawthe tube below the seal, withdrawing a. saming the tubes from the well after the sample ple of fluid from below the seal through the has been taken.

tube, preventing the well from becoming In testimony whereof I have vsignedmy 5 constrioted by cave-ins above the seal by name to this specification.

moving a second tube in the Well above the seal having avdiameter approximately equal GEORGE A. MACREADY. 

